Elevator for well casings



Sept. 28 1926.

G. A. MONTGOMERY ELEVATOR FOR WELL CASINGS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb 25, 1924 Sept. .28 1926.

- 1,601,369 e. A. MONTGOMERY v ELEVATOR FOR WELL CASINGS Filed Feb. 25, 1924 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 S pt. 28 1926.

G. A. MONTGOMERY ELEVATOR FOR WELL CASINGS Filed Feb. 25, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

"UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

eus'ravus A. MONTGOMERY, oE TITUSVILLE, .I'ENliTSYLVANIA, Ass'IGNon 'ro 'rrrusvILLE FORGE COMPANY, OF TITUSVILLE, rENusYLvANIA, a conrona'rxou ,oE

MARYLAND.

ELEVATOR Eon WEL casmes.

, Application filed February 25, 1924. Serial No. 694,852.

This invention relates to improvements in elevators of the type employed in connection with'oil or gas well drilling apparatus for lowering'and raising the pipe or casing into and out of the well.

One of the. objects of the invention is to provide a semi-automatic casing elevator of this character in which the gripping jaws or slips are adjustable radially into and out of engagement with the casing.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide novel means for controlling. the expanding and contracting movements of the sli s.

ii. further object is to provide means for yieldingly resisting-movement .of the slips out of their open or expanded position.

A stillfurther object of the invention'is to provide an elevator whose parts are so constructed and arranged that the same is adapted for use with casings made with or without stop collars or shoulders.

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the elevator, the bail being shown partly in section. Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical section of the elevator, taken on line 2-2, Fig. 4, showing the slips in theircontracted position about the casing. Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showlng the slips in their expanded or released position. Figure 4 is a top plan view of the elevator with the top cap removed. Figure 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5, Fig. 4, the slips being shown in-their elevated or expanded position. Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 6-6, Fig. 5. Figure 7 is a horizontal section on line 7-7, Fig. 2. Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the slips. Figure 9 is a similar view of the suspension or cam ring. Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical section of a' modified construction for guiding the slips in thetool-body. Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of the slips employed with such modification. Figure 12 is a vertical section of a modified form of the improvement taken in the plane of line 12-12, Fig. 14:. Figure 13 is a similar view taken on line13-13, Fig. 14. Figure 14 is'a plan view of this modification. Figure 15 is a horizontal section on line 15-15, Fig. 12. Figure 16 is an-enlarged vertical section on line 16-16, Fig.

14. igure 17 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 12, showing the slips 1n their elevated or .ex anded position: Figure 18 is a sectional el the plane of line 18-18, Fig. 17. Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the slips employed in connection with this modified form of the improvement.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the preferred embodiment of the in-' vention shown in Figs. 1-9, inclusive, the same comprises a' substantially cylindrical body or suspension member 20 provided with a bore shaped to form conical seats or' hearing openings 21 arranged in axial alinement one above the other lengthwise of the body and forming between them an annular downwardly-facing shoulder 22. The upper and lowerends of this body are provided with externally-threaded necks 23, 241, for receiving caps 25, .26, respectively, having alining openings 27 therein'through which the pipe or casing 28 extends. At its diametrically opposite sides'thehody has trunnions or pins 29 to which the lower ends of links or bail-members 30 i are connected, while their upper ends are adapted to be removably connected with the customary hook 31 attached to the derrick line.

Seated in the tapered openings of the body 20 is a pipe-gripping device preferably consisting of a plurality" of slips or jaws 32 which are arranged in spaced relation in an annular series, and WlllCll are adaptedfor movement as a unit into and out of operative engagement with the casing. These slips are guided for vertical movement in the body-openings, and for this purpose each is preferably provided on its outer side with a dove-tail tongue 33 arranged to engage a corresponding groove 34 in the walls of such openings. As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 8, these slips are of uniform width, their outer sides bein stepped and tapered to corre-. spond to t e conical body openings 21. Between the upper and lower stepped outer bearing faces of-each slip is formed an up-- evation taken in from slipping downwardly relatively to the body. By constructing the elevator body and the slips in this manner, the latter, upon moving up or down as a unit in the tapered body-openings, are caused to be released or The slips are preferably connected as a unit and suspended sothat they are retained constantly in horizontal alinement and at the same time self-centering. For thispurpose, they are carried by a collector ring or suspension member provided in its periphery with a plurality of radal notches or recesses 38 which correspond in number to the slips. Bolts or similar fastenings 39 connect these slips with the collector ring,

whereby the slips are held against vertical,

displacement relative to the ring but are capable of independent movement radially thereof to effect the expansion and contractt1on 'of the gripping device into and out of engagement with the casing.

Means are provided for effecting the uniform lowering and raising movement of the slips to bring them into and out of gripping engagement with the casing. As shown in F igs. 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9, these means are prefe'rably constructed as follows:

Disposed vertically in the spaces between the several slips are upright-coil springs 40 Which tend constantly to elevate the slips to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5, in which position the slips are expanded and free from engagement with the casing. To prevent the springs from buckling, they may be arranged in semi-circular grooves 41 formed in the tapered openings of the elevator-body, as shown in Fig. 6. The lower ends of these springs bear againstian annular seat or shoulder 42 formed on the lower cap 26, while their upper ends bear directly against the underside of the slip supporting ring 37 To effect the lowering movement of the slips in the body-openings for the purpose of bringing them into gripping engagement with the casin the upper cap 25 is adapted to co-operate with the slipsupporting ring to force the slip downwardly as a unit when the cap is turned in one direction, while when the 'cap is turned in the opposite direction, the springs '40 automatically cause the slips to be raised to their released position. To this, end, the upper cap 25 is provided on its inner wall with a plurality of downwardly-facing segmental cam portions 43 which are adapted to engage corresponding cam portions 44 carried by the collector ring. In the drawings, two sets of cam portions are shown, but it will be underor shoulders.

'ner shown in'Figs. 10 and 11.

and collector-ring,respectively, are always in engagement wlth one another during the effective turning movement of the cap. brought into gripping engagement with'the pipe casing.

In assembling the slips within the bodybore through the bottom thereof and connected with the collector-ring 37 by the bolts position-to enable the elevator to be slipped over the casing.

In the construction of the elevator thus far described, the same. is particularly intended for use with casings free from tool joints having externally projecting collars This elevator is so constructed, however, that'it lends itself for use with casings employing such stop-collars. For this purpose, reference being had to Fig.

5, the lower cap 26 is provided with an up-- wardly-openinggsooket or recess 45 for receiving a spacing ring or collar 46 which serves to hold the slips in an elevated-position against downward displacement and out bore, the upper and lower caps 25, 26, are re- .moved, the slips 32 are inserted into said of gripping engagement with the casing, the v I I shoulder or collar 47 of the latter engaging the tops of the slips.

The operation of the device is as follows: In applying the elevator to the casing,- assuming the slips to be iii their elevated or expanded position shown in Fig. 3, 1t 1s only necessary to turn the upper cap 25 a fraction of a revolution to force the slips downwardly and inwardly into gripping engagement with the casing, as shown 111 Fig. 2,,the wickers on the inner side of the slip preventing downward displacement of the casing relative thereto. When it 1s desired to disengage the casing from the elevator, the upper cap is turned in the reverse directiefi, causing the springs to automat cally elevate the slips to their initial position. 4

Instead of guiding the slips in the bodybore by means of dovetail tongues and grooves, theymay be suspended in the man- In this case, each slip 48 is provided with an upright guidepost orpin 49 rising from its offset portion 50 and arranged to engage .a corresponding guideway or openingjl in the ele va'tor body. 7 i

In themodified construction ofthe elevator shown in Figs. 12-19, inclusive, means from upward displacement wh" e in such for effecting the lowering and raising movements of the slips to cause a corresponding contraction and expansion thereof relative to the casing are preferably constructed as follows;

52 indicates acollector-ring which is provided with an annular series of depending bolts or fastenings 53, held against vertical movement relative to said ring and terminating at their lower ends a suitable distance below thelatter in segmental heads 54 from which the slips 55 are suspended. Near their upper ends the slips are provided in their opposite sides with horizontal grooves 56 which are adapted to slidably engage the opposing marginal edges of the segmental heads, the latter being arranged in the spaces between the slips, as shown in Fig. 15. By this construction, as the slips are raised and lowered as a unit in the tapered body openings, the slips are capable of moving radially in and out relatively tothe segmental supporting heads. As in "the previously described construction, coil springs 57 hearing at one end against the lower cap 58 and at their other ends against the segmental heads, serve to constantly urge the slips of the unit upwardly in the elevator-body.

The slips are forced downwardly by means of 'a rotatable cap 59 applied to the upper end of the elevator body and provided with alternately-arranged radial recesses 60 and projections 61 which are adapted to be brought into and out-'of register with the tops of the slips The inner edges of the cap-projections are adapted to engage a cam portion or inclined face 62 formed at the upper end of the 'outerwall of each slip, so that as the cap is turned in one direction or the other, the slips are forced downwardly or automatically moved upwardly by the springs 57. In the lowered or contracted position of the slips shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the projections 61 of the .cap overhang the tops of the slips, preventin the slips position. When it is desired to release the to automatically elevate the slips and releasethem from engagement with said casing. 'A suitable handle or knob 63 may be appliedl'tog this cap to conveniently slips from gripping engagement withiihe.

casing, the cap 59 is turned sufliciently to bring itsrecesses into register withthe; tops of the sllps, thereby permitting the springs turn it. I claim as my lnventionz l. elevator of the character described, comprlsmg a body having a tapered opening, a gripping device mounted in said open-' ing and including a plurality of pipe-engaging aws movable both lengthwise and radiallyof the opening, and a rotatable memher adjustable lengthwise of said body and arranged to control the longitudinal movement of said jaws as a unit for efiecting their expansion and contraction.

2. An elevator of the character described, comprising a body having a tapered opening, agripping device mounted in said opening and including a pluralit of pipe-engaging jaws movable both lengt wise and radially of the opening, means for yieldingly moving said jaws longitudinally in one direction to eiiect'their expansion, and a rotatable member adjustable lengthwise of said body for controlling the movement of said jaws as a unit in the opposite direction to efl'ect their contraction. I

3. An elevator of the character described, comprising a body having a tapered opening, a supporting member, a plurality of pipe-engaging jaws connected tosaid supporting member for movement radially thereof, and arotatable member adjustable lengthwise of said body and arranged to engage the jaw-supporting member for-con trolling the longitudinal movement of the jaws in said body-opening.

4. An elevator of the character described, comprising a body having a tapered opening, a supporting member, a plurality of pipe-engaging jaws connected to said supporting member for movement radially thereof, yieldable means bearing against one side of the jaw-supporting member for elevating the jaws to their expanded position, and rotatable means adjustable lengthwise on said body'and arranged to bear against the opposite side of the jaw-supporting vmember for lowering the jaws to their contracted position.

5. An elevator of the character described, comprising a body having a tapered opening, a supporting member, a plurality of pipe-engaging jaws connected .to said supmounted on said body and arranged to bear against the upperside of said 'su porting member forlowering the jaws to t eir contracted position.

-6. An elevator of the character described,

comprising a body portion having atapered opening, a plurality of pipe-engaging a rigid suspension member connectingsaid slips as a unit for preventing their vertical dis lacement relative to one an )ther,

said slips suspension mem plied to said body-portion for; movement eingwmovable radially of said lengthwise thereof and engagingssaidpus pension member for controlling. the movelUO slips guided for longitudinal movement in saidr, and rotatable means apment of the slips lengthwise in said opening, saidrotatable means constituting an enclosure for the upper ends of the slips and the suspension member. l I

7. An elevator of the character described, comprising a body portion having a tapered opening, a plurality of pipe-engaging slips guided for longitudinal movement 1n said opening, a collector-ring applied to the upper ends of said slips for preventing their relative vertical displacement, headed fasten-- ings connecting the collector ring' with the slips, said ring having radial notches engaging the shank portions of said fastenings for permitting radial movement of the slips relatively to said ring, and rotatable means applied to said body-portion above the collector ring for controlling the movement of said slips lengthwise in said body opening.

8. An elevator 'of thecharacter described, comprising a body portion having a tapered opening, pipe-gripping means mounted in sald opening to expand or contract, and r0 tatable meansadjustable lengthwise on said 7 body-portion for controlling the movement of said gripping means to its contracted osition, both of said means being provided,

with complementary contacting portions for effecting the movement of the gripping meillns when said controlling means is actuate 9. Anelevator of the character described, comprising a body portion having a tapered opening, pipe-grlpping meansmounted' in said opening to expand or contract, rotat able means adjustable lengthwise on said body-portion for controlling the movement of said gripping means to its contracted po-- sition, both of said means being provided with complementary contacting portions for effecting the movement of the gripping means when said rotatable means is actuated, and means for yieldingly moving said gripping means to 1ts expanded position.

10. An elevator of the character described,

"comprising a body portion having a.

threaded-neck, a plurality of pi e-engaging slips guided for both lateral "and longitudinal movement relative'to said body portion,

to move said slips means tending constantly in a direction to 'expan them, and a rotatable threaded cap applied to said threadedneck for engagement with said sli s for forcing them lengthwise of thebo tion to contract them including a rotatable for preventing their vertical displacement relative. to one another, means for yieldingly moving said slips to their elevated expanded position, and a cap 'rotatably mounted on said body portion for control- 5 ling the movement of'the slips to their lowered contracted position,said cap being provided with a cam portion and said slip supporting member having a complementary cam portion.

, 13. An elevator of the character described, comprising a body portion having a tapered .opening provided with substantially radial guide-grooves extending lengthwise thereof, and a gripping devicearranged in said opening'and including a plurality of slips having guides engaging said guide-grooves, and

a rotatable member adjustable lengthwise of said body and arranged td control the longitudinal movement of'said slips as a unit for eifecting theirexpansion and contraction.

14. An elevator of the character described, comprising a body having tapered openings disposed one above the other in axial alinement and forming a downwardly-facin stop shoulder between them, a gripping evice' including slips arranged 1n said opening, each of said slips having upper and lower stepped exterior bearin faces formmg an upwardly facing shoul erbetween them and arranged to engage the downwardlyfacing stop shoulder of said body-openings, and means for raising and lowering said gripping device in said opening to effect the expansion and contraction thereof,

15. An elevator of the character described,

comprising a body portion having a tapered bore, a' gripping device monnted in said bore and movable lengthwise thereof to expand andcontract, caps applied to the upper and lower ends of said body portion and having openings therein in line with said bore, one 0 said caps engaging said gripping device to move it in one direct-ion, and springs for movingthe gripping device in the opposite direction, 521d springs bearing atone end against said other cap.

16. A slip for a-pipe-gripping device, having its outer side provided with downwardly tapering bearing faces disposed one above another and an upwardly-facing stop shoulder formed between said faces, and dovetail tongues extending laterally from said bearing faces.

GUS'IIAVUS A. MONTGOMERY. 

